“Where is your father?” “Your father isn’t in the photos at all.” Despite the public’s curiosity, Hwanhee has kept his family history private for 27 years, but he has finally opened up about his inner feelings.
The May 23 broadcast of the KBS2 variety show ‘Mr. House Husband 2’ (hereinafter ‘Mr. House Husband 2’) featured a trip to Jeju Island with Hwanhee and his mother.
During the episode, Hwanhee enjoyed the Jeju trip while carrying his mother on his back. His mother recalled his childhood, saying, “He was so sick when he was little, so I raised him with great care. I even carried him on my back in kindergarten. He was so thin that his ribs showed, so he had the nickname ‘Wanggalbi’ (King Rib).”
Hwanhee shared his sadness, saying, “My mom told me she’s in the 40kg range now. It made me sad that she’s become so light. It broke my heart that she spoke with a smile so her son wouldn’t worry.”
Afterward, the two explored Sanbangsan in Jeju and had a sincere conversation over a hot spring visit and dinner. When Hwanhee asked, “How is your first Jeju trip in 74 years of life?” his mother replied, “I came along because you insisted, but it was truly touching. I cried when I got off the plane. It felt like a long-held grudge was being released.”
She then teared up while remembering her own mother, who recently passed away. “Coming here makes me think of my mother. She passed away a few days ago,” she said, adding, “I feel like I should have been better to her, just as you are good to me,” leaving viewers with a heavy heart.
Then, for the first time in 27 years since his debut, Hwanhee brought up the topic of his father. He cautiously began, “I feel like this is a place my father should have brought me to,” and noted, “Netizens have made many speculations regarding my father.”
It turns out Hwanhee’s parents divorced two years ago. Since this fact was not even disclosed to the family, Hwanhee was also deeply shocked. The absence of his father in the family photos revealed on ‘Mr. House Husband 2’ was due to the pain of this divorce.
His mother confessed, “I decided on the divorce alone because I thought it was something to be ashamed of. There was no hope.” She explained that she had lived her life devoted to her husband, but it wasn’t the case. She cited her husband’s financial issues as the reason for the divorce, confessing, “Once the living expenses stopped, I felt truly hopeless. I even had extreme thoughts. I didn’t want to cause harm to you children.”
She expressed her gratitude to Hwanhee, saying, “Now I am living because you provide for my living expenses.” Hwanhee calmly shared that he has been reducing his drinking to give that money to his mother for her living expenses, and that he actually feels more at peace now, adding to the emotional atmosphere.
